Geothermal EnergyBy: Rebecca and Timmy
Geothermal energy uses energy stored and generated under the Earth. The name thermal means energy that forms the temperature of matter.
By Timmy
How Does It Work
The first energy source used in the whole process is magma or the hot rocks and lava underneath the Earth which is called thermal energy. Water is pumped down from a boiler and the magma and hot rocks heat up the water causing water to turn to steam. As the steam from the water pushes the turbine underneath, the energy slowly transforms into kinetic energy. An electric generator has large magnet in a wire coil that spins and an electric current is generated. Finally, the electrical energy that has been produced goes through a electrical wires to be distributed to the cities and towns.
How Widespread Is It
Geothermal energy is used in over 20 countries, used the most in China, USA, and Iceland and six countries - Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda, Tanzania - in Africa which is about 10000 MW in all. This energy provided about 0.416% of the worldwide energy and is the fourth largest renewable energy.
Different Ways Geothermal Energy Is Used
How Efficient Is It
This energy sends out about 67,246 megawatts of electricity and 10,715 megawatts online. One powerplant can provide energy for 8,000 to 41,000 homes with 1 to 50 megawatts. To drill each 2.5 miles, it costs $5 million and $20 million for each well. One kilowatt that is installed could cost as low as $3400.
Benefits:
environmentally friendly
Areas Where Geothermal Energy Can Be Used
limitless and renewable
reliable and sustainable
power plants require little land
decreaes use on fossil fuels and other polluting methods
creates jobs for local people
Drawbacks:
suited to particular region (e.g. volcanic regions and tectonic plates)
produces waste water which damages soil
some air pollution
expensive to generate - high installation costs
can run out of steam
loud drilling and cracks, sinks land
Role in the Future
This method of using geothermal energy will be more widespread and available in the future. Because of the advanced technology, scientists will be able to research and discover better and more efficient ways of producing and using geotherma
l energy. This will cause the prices and costs of power plants and drilling to decrease to be more reasonable. As expected, the population worldwide will be increasing all the time so more people will need to start using less fossil fuels and methods that pollute the world and more renewable and limitless energy for heating and electricity. Geothermal energy can only be installed in places where Earth's crust is thin like tectonic plates but it uses less energy than other methods so this will open up potential for widespread use. Overall, this method will be one of the most widespread and available because it's renweable, limitless and it doesn't pollute the Earth.
Geothermal energy uses energy stored and generated under the Earth. The name thermal means energy that forms the temperature of matter.
The first energy source used in the whole process is magma or the hot rocks and lava underneath the Earth which is called thermal energy. Water is pumped down from a boiler and the magma and hot rocks heat up the water causing water to turn to steam. As the steam from the water pushes the turbine underneath, the energy slowly transforms into kinetic energy. An electric generator has large magnet in a wire coil that spins and an electric current is generated. Finally, the electrical energy that has been produced goes through a electrical wires to be distributed to the cities and towns.
How Widespread Is It
Geothermal energy is used in over 20 countries, used the most in China, USA, and Iceland and six countries - Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda, Tanzania - in Africa which is about 10000 MW in all. This energy provided about 0.416% of the worldwide energy and is the fourth largest renewable energy.
How Efficient Is It
This energy sends out about 67,246 megawatts of electricity and 10,715 megawatts online. One powerplant can provide energy for 8,000 to 41,000 homes with 1 to 50 megawatts. To drill each 2.5 miles, it costs $5 million and $20 million for each well. One kilowatt that is installed could cost as low as $3400.
Benefits:
- environmentally friendly
![tectonics_world_map[1].jpg](https://grade7isyscience.wikispaces.com/file/view/tectonics_world_map%5B1%5D.jpg/339014904/416x269/tectonics_world_map%5B1%5D.jpg "tectonics_world_map[1].jpg")
Areas Where Geothermal Energy Can Be Used
- limitless and renewable
- reliable and sustainable
- power plants require little land
- decreaes use on fossil fuels and other polluting methods
- creates jobs for local people
Drawbacks:Role in the Future
This method of using geothermal energy will be more widespread and available in the future. Because of the advanced technology, scientists will be able to research and discover better and more efficient ways of producing and using geotherma
l energy. This will cause the prices and costs of power plants and drilling to decrease to be more reasonable. As expected, the population worldwide will be increasing all the time so more people will need to start using less fossil fuels and methods that pollute the world and more renewable and limitless energy for heating and electricity. Geothermal energy can only be installed in places where Earth's crust is thin like tectonic plates but it uses less energy than other methods so this will open up potential for widespread use. Overall, this method will be one of the most widespread and available because it's renweable, limitless and it doesn't pollute the Earth.
Bibliography
http://educypedia.karadimov.info/library/Matteran16animation.s
http://www.picgifs.com/graphics/energy/64044/graphics-energy-245926/
http://educypedia.karadimov.info/education/geothermalenergyanimations.html
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/energy/site/EIZCaseStudy11Item4.asp
http://educypedia.karadimov.info/library/geogeorge.swf
http://educypedia.karadimov.info/library/egs_animation_082404.swf
http://www.rlcave.com/heating.htm
http://www.calenergy.com/aboutus4.aspx
http://www.geothermal.org/virtualgeo.html
http://www.archiarcha.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Geothermal-Energy-550x271.jpg